Healthy eating for the holidays

While you're busy making a list and checking it twice, don't forget that this holiday season presents the perfect opportunity to give your loved ones gifts that will help them stay healthy and active.

Help your loved ones eat well by trying some nutritious and delicious ideas.

Wrap up a healthy cookbook.

Credible sources of information include registered dietitians or organizations such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society or the Canadian Diabetes Association.

A fruit basket is an attractive way to inspire nutritious eating.

Fill a basket with fresh apples, grapefruit, pineapple, and kiwi. Or introduce less common choices such as papaya or pomegranates.

Choose an attractive salad bowl and fill it with ingredients and accessories needed to create a tasty salad.

Include new kitchen utensils and flavoured vinegars or low-fat salad dressings.

How about a gift to encourage your loved ones to be more physically active?

Give a gift certificate for a healthy-living class.

Our region offers many classes introducing aquaaerobics, yoga or Tai Chi.

For those who prefer to work out at home, pair a yoga mat with an instructional video or DVD.

Find out if there are maps of local trails in your area and tuck them into a stocking.

Give gifts that encourage active play like skipping ropes, balls and sports equipment, or passes for recreation centres, rinks, swimming pools or the bowling alley.

Another creative gift idea is to offer to drive friends' kids to their karate, dance or swimming lessons.

This gives the gift of time to the parent as well as supporting the children in learning new skills and being active.

For more information on making your holiday season a healthy one, call Your Health Connection at 721- 7520 or at 1-877-721-7520 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and talk with a public health nurse. Residents can also visit www.simcoemuskokahealth. org.